Punjab has contributed 35 lakh metric tonne (MT) more to the central pool up till now in the recent year.

An official representative stated that Punjab has contributed 95,35,273 metric tonne of wheat, as compared to 60,96,462 MT contributed to the central pool during the last Rabi season till Sunday.

The spokesperson added that there was a minor increase in area under wheat from 34.67 lakh hectares to 34.80 lakh hectares this year, wheat procurement in around 1623 procurement centers had already reached 100,98,803 MT mark as against 73,61,133 MT procured in 2007.

Out of total procurement till Sunday, 95,35,273 MT (94.4 per cent) has been secured for the central pool and 2,80,038 MT (2.8 per cent) for the State pool while traders lifted 283492 MT of wheat.

The spokesman said that Pungrain procured 17,80,238 MT (18.7 per cent) while Markfed secured 22,85,863 metric tonne (24 per cent), Punsup procured 21,93,424 MT (23 per cent), PSWC procured 11,69,233 MT (12.3 per cent) while PAIC procures 10,79,398 MT (11.3 per cent) of wheat for the central pool.

The Central Government agency FCI had been capable of procuring 10,26,617 MT  (10.8 per cent) for the central pool.

Ferozepur District lead the procurement operations with 11,74,915 MT while Sangrur District with 9,43,036 MT of procurement was at second slot and Ludhiana district with 8,39,262 MT of procurement ranked at third position.

The Punjab Government allocated over Rs. 11,116 crore to the agencies for making payment to the agriculturists.